A woman who made negative comments about her former church on Google Comments is being sued (along with several others) by the pastor for defamation. This woman, whose name is Julie Anne, found that her comment mysteriously disappeared from the site, and when repeated comments were erased, she started a blog (Beaverton Grace Bible Church Survivors) addressing the legalism and spiritual abuse present at the church in Beaverton, Oregon.
Now if this story wasn't interesting enough, the pastor met with an elder from John MacArthur's church to receive counsel. He then claimed that the elder advised him to go ahead with the lawsuit. Phil Johnson was dragged into the fray and Grace Community Church is denying they gave this advice, pointing to their wide and staunch teaching against Christians suing other Christians in civil court as proof they would not do such a thing. (I believe Phil Johnson, by the way)
Subsequent to all this, many more people who have attended BGBC have come out and backed Julie Anne in the matter. So here we have a pastor who denies being legalistic and abusive by suing those who think so?
There are many more bizarre details than what I have outlined here, so you could follow the story at Julie Anne's blog, or sort through the last several weeks of posts at The Wartburg Watch (site temporarily down for maintenance as of this post). This case will have some far reaching effects in how social media interacts with religion. It is also yet another example in an increasing number of internet stories of authoritarianism and spiritual abuse reported by people who have been harmed by churches and their leaders.
Somehow I'm not surprised. I suppose he thinks he's treating her like an unbeliever since he's not going the 'scriptural' route by speaking to her privately before taking her to court.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, you're right, Jennifer. I forgot about his own statement (later retracted and even later claiming she left voluntarily) saying that she had been biblically "put out" of the church. So is she a believer or not? If she's a rank heathen, then the pastor has a right - no, duty - to sue her. I guess, huh?
ReplyDeleteSad story. I have two separate thoughts here.
ReplyDelete1) It seems unlikely that this court case will improve the perception that some are lording over others. Even if they win the court case I think much is already lost.
2) Us bloggers should be careful not to write in a way that makes personal attacks against those we disagree with. I've gone through my blog recently and removed a few posts that could seem like I was attacking individuals. I think it is fair game to attack an idea, tradition, or system of beliefs. But if we hope for anything good to come out of our grumblings, we must seek to do all with Christ's love.
Jon,
DeleteThanks for the thoughts. I understand what you're saying about attacking a person. I would also add a person's deeds to your list, and I think there's a way to focus on the deeds without attacking the person himself. Of course, in an extreme example, somebody could be known so well for their deeds that their character itself is obvious enough to label the person. I'm not saying we have to do this, just that I can see where it could be appropriate.
Thanks for sharing my story, Steve, and thus, the story of spiritual abuse which is rampant across the states. Time to expose this dirty secret that people are so afraid to talk about.
ReplyDeleteJust today I got another apology letter from a family who was shunning us. They are now on the shun list. And so it continues. . . .
Sure thing, Julie Anne. I've been exposed to more moderate forms than what you're going through, but the experiences were awful enough to really empathize. I'll be with this story as long as it's going.
DeleteAnd the shun game. What grade are we in?
Shunning has its place in society, but not for disagreeing with someone in your church. Is it a cult? what determines that?
Deleteby what I have seen in this abuse many time in this country but who has the guts to stand up? Thank you for your courage Julie. It is not only some Christians that admire your stand there are now thousands of atheists watching. Many of us atheist are also humanists we do care about people. Caring about people is what the church is supposed to be about but sadly that is not always the case.
like many abusive cases the victim rarely stands up to say hey you screwed me when it involves a church.
Good luck and in all this I hope you find peace, joy and love. do not be surprised if those who do not believe in a God back you and those who do believe in one criticize you. You are not a victim you are a hero.
by the way pissing off religious people got Jesus nailed... just saying watch your back. be safe
I think that in order to claim "defamation of character" there has to be character in the first place. also, if we are known to be Christians because of our love, what are they? since they are not showing love. how do they treat people who don't go to any church? my church ENCOURAGES us to ask questions!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Craig. You bring up some good thoughts. I've thought about your first point from the opposite end: how can you defame somebody's character when he's already defamed it by himself? And, yes, beware of the church that discourages questions.
DeleteThank you. at least once or twice a year, we have question night, where people can text their questions to the pastor(s) on stage and they will answer them live. two week ago we had Dr. Greg Boyd, as our guest answer-er. now as an optional mid-week class, we are watching Erwin McManus series, "Tough Questions". his brother, Alex McManus, is a staff member at my church. so you probably can see, my church isn't afraid to let us ask any questions.
ReplyDeleteSpiritual abuse is so evil because those that are abused are seeking God while His so called representatives are abusing them for hidden agendas. This abuse does not separate the abused from the church but many times from God himself.
ReplyDeleteI believe we as believers have lost the backbone to stand against false teachers and or abusers. Remaining silent, we become part of the problem because the only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.
When we become aware of a problem, we are obligated to stand. God has clearly laid out the process. 1. When there is a problem go privately to the individual. This will clear up any misunderstandings and can facilitate restoration while saving face for the erring party. 2. If that does not work, we escalate to repeat the process with a witness or two. 3. Once and only after that fails, we take it to the church as an objective review.
However if the process is blocked (normally by the abuseres who have a don't talk rule) then that leaves little recourse but to widen and escalate. My advice would be to appeal to local churches to intervene. Unfortunately, most churches will take a hands off approach leaving the victim who has a right, no a duty to protect themselves from damage, defensless with not much other choice than to go public.
Unfortunately this may draw criticism from well meaning but misguided believers who will say things like "let go and let God take care of it".
We would not tell our daughters not to scream if they are being raped by a pastor, would we.
We would not shame her, telling her to not bring the church under criticism and keep quiet.
When there is the possibility of spiritual abuse, we fellow believers should get involved, take a stand for the abused against the abusers. Christ had no problem denouncing the hypocritical religious leaders calling out their deeds.
We fellow believers, can and should exert what influence and pressure we can bring to bare. I suggest we call the pastor and ask him if biblical steps have been taken. Righteousness and Truth works towards disclosure, evil will try to prevent open discussion.
When we get the facts. Be willing to take the heat and take a stand for what is right.
www.Halorepair.com may be a source to help.
Mario Palermo
Mario,
DeleteSorry it took me so long to reply, but thanks for the comment and the fire of enthusiasm it contains.
I am a pastor's wife and missionary. I knew Julie Anne personally through a former professional relationship unrelated to either her or our churches. In my years of knowing her I have never considered her to be a gossip nor a vindictive person. Rather, she is a vibrant, happy, passionate believer. Her convictions in this matter, whether or not deemed by others to be appropriate, could only be generated from a strong sense of responsibility and a nurturing heart.
ReplyDeleteAs I watch this unfold, I cannot help but be awed by her tenacity to stand by her conviction to help others in the face of her own heartache and potential financial ruin. I speak as one who has experienced spiritual abuse and I know how hard it is to make decisions about what to do. I know the struggle of wanting to speak the truth, yet knowing we would only be portrayed as liars, unrepentant sowers of discord and rebellious. I know the agonizing self-evaluation that one goes through to find any tiny splinter in their own eye. I know the desperate need for God's grace and someone to trust. I have walked in the lonely valley of loss of longtime friends. For us it included loss of status, jobs, church, and home. Our adult children struggle with trusting any church.
Our personal choice was to leave yet remain silent. We invested our pain in the healing work of nurturing and counseling others who were similarly hurt as we rebuilt our own lives and ministry. Julie Anne has been called to travel a bumpier, more public road and for that she is my new hero.
As for the lawsuit, the thing I keep thinking about is how it is being financially supported. The pastor, as well as the church, are named as claimants. I doubt the pastor would have been willing to front the heavy legal expenses on his own tab. Now he has placed the burden of his personal vendetta not only upon Julie Anne's family, but upon his congregants. Matt 23:4
The outcome of this whole thing could have a huge impact on legal precedence. This is one to keep following.
Mary,
DeleteSorry for the delayed reply. Thank you for a character reference for Julie Anne. I think "tenacity" is a good word, as she really is going full on here.
Question- what if the pastor romantically pursued you, was confronted (biblically), and denied everything even when presented with proof? The church sided with the pastor, and it was swept under the rug. Now I'm afraid to speak out for fear of being sued or harassed. Where is the line between free speech & defamation? I don't want another woman to go thru what I went thru.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous,
Delete"what if the pastor..."
Well, that would be horrible, and I'm sorry it happened to you. I think the church proved, sadly, that it is probably a place not worthy of assembly. As for the line between free speech and defamation, I think it is whether what you say is true or false.
I applaud Julie Anne for not remaining silent.
ReplyDeleteMy former pastor asked me to remove a blog that I authored. The blog did not bear my name nor the church I attended.
When I declined to remove my blog, the pastor asked me to leave the church and began a "shun" campaign to hep persuade me to leave the church.
Thankfully, I have found a church that I can bring my family to. My blog is still up, and I do not have any ill feelings towards my former pastor, or those who participated in the shun game. In fact, I feel sorry for them...
Phil,
DeleteThanks for the comment. That sounds awful. I'm glad you were able to find a church in light of the circumstances (assuming of course that your blog wasn't full of ACTUAL gossip, slander and defamation!) If your new church is okay with a blogger in their midst, then great.
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ReplyDelete